Goodlattes's Son Pushes Democrat Running for Father's Seat

Eric Garcia, Roll Call

Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s son announced he had donated the maximum amount to the Democratic candidate running to succeed his father and urged others to do the same.

Bobby Goodlatte announced in a tweet that he had donated to Jennifer Lewis.

The younger Goodlatte, who is based in San Francisco, tweeted his contribution and encouraged others to do the same.

“I’ve also gotten 5 other folks to commit to donate the max. 2018 is the year to flip districts — let’s do this,” he said.

Bobby Goodlatte was a designer for Facebook and launched a platform for politics called OpenVote in 2015, according to TechCrunch. At the time of the site’s launch, he told the site, “I’ve been very wary about having my dad open doors for me in life. We’re starting from the exact opposite sides of the political spectrum.”

Robert Goodlatte announced in November that he would retire at the end of his 13th term representing the district.

Lewis is running against GOP state Del. Ben Cline in a district that President Donald Trump won 60 percent of the vote. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates Virginia’s 6th District as Solid Republican.

According to a search by the Federal Election Commission shows the younger Goodlatte also contributed to Max Rose, who is running against Rep. Dan Donovan in New York’s 11th District.

After a bruising Republican primary between Donovan and former Rep. Michael Grimm, that race is rated Likely Republican.